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.umTEn sTATns PATENT orrion vo'rAw s. numana, or sr. tours, MISSOURI.

zennlscorneiueunrinie.

nppueetien inea Aprn 1a,` 191s, serial ne, 228,345. Renewed December 20, 191s. serial Ne. 267,713. -f

To @ZZ whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, VoTAw S. DURBIN, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of St. Louis and State of Missouri, have invented new and useful Improvements in Periscope-Mountings, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to submarines, and

spond with the increased hydrostatic pressure.`

The invention consists in the general combination of parts and features to be particularly described hereinafter all of which contribute to produce Van efhcient periscope mounting. A preferred embodiment of my invention willbe particularly described in the following specification while the broad scope of my invention will *bepointed out in the appended claims.Y If Y In the drawing: 1 Figure `l is .a cross section through the deck of the submarine and showing the arrangement .of parts for packing the periscope guidegfthis Vview also illustrates apparatus which may be employed to enable the pressure of thepacking to be maintained, or varied when desired, Y Fig. 2 is a plan of the packing member and .showing its relation to the 'packing sleeve which alsoconstitutes a lfeature of my invention, Y Y. y

Fig. 3 is a plan of the packing sleeve, Fig. i is a vertical.` cross section through the packing sleeve, and

Fig. 5 is a typical section upon an enlarged scale at the packing point.v

Referring more particularly to the parts,

l represents a deck of a` submarine whichY is provided with an opening, 2, atwhich there is. attached aV periscope mounting or seat, said seat being in the form of a low .pedestal-3 presenting a flat upper face 4L to which aY casing is attached. This casing Specification of Letters Patent.

comprises an upper bearing member 5 secured in any suitable manner, suchV as by means of suitable bolts 6, the lower portion of the bearing member 5 being formed into a shallow dome` 7 above which an integral bearing sleeve 8 extends upwardly to form a bearingfor the periscope guide `9. The lower end of the periscope guide 9 is mountedI on a` suitable ball bearing 10 which enables the guide to turn or swivelin the bearingmember 5.

On the under side of the bearing "member 5`and within the dome 7 I attach a lower" member 11. The casing has an Iopening through uit for the periscope guide, for which purpose `the members 5 and 1l have bores 12 and 13 which lit neatly to the periphery ofthe peris-cope guide. The lower member 11 maybe attached to the upper member 5 by .suitable studs 14.

`The member 5 is formedwith an annular" recess land the Vlower member 11 is formed with a similar recess 16. These recesses come together 1n a juxtaposed relation, to

form a packing'chamber of substantially circular cross section which communicates with the opening or bores 12 and 13. Fur thermore, I prefer to formv the packing chamber so that it presents an inclined or curved face 17' (see Fig. 5) adjacent to the Within the packing chamber I provide an. inflatable packing member 20, which is pref-V erably of continuous annular tubular form;`

when this packing member is in use it is inflated by a fluid under pressure so that theA Vinner side of .the packing memberwill eX- ert pressure against the'` side of the periscope guide. Furthermore, the -inner side of thepack1ng-member, that 1s to say, the side adjacent to the periscope guide isprovided i with means which will preventv the packing member from engaging the periscope `guide,

and which will permit the guide to-swivel or rotate on its, longitudinal axiswithout disturbing the packing member. This means maybein the uformfof a liner orv annular sleeve E21Y see Fig.. 3f), and this `sleeve'is preferably Asubstantially of crescent shape in,

cross-section with the convex side 22 of the crescent disposed inwardlyf This sleeve lies between the inner side of the packingV member and the cuived face of the groove 19. Furthermore the curvature' of the groove 19 constitutes a continuation of the inclined or' curved faces 17 and 18.V When the packing is placed in position, the upper edge 23 of the sleeve 21 preferably extends over the face 17 so as to seal olf the periscope guide effectively along the annular edge 24. In a similar manner, the lower Vedge 25 of the sleeve 21, preferably extends over the inclined or curved face'18 at the` annular edge 26. The packing memberv 20 is preferably formed of rubber and may be constructed like the inner tube of an automobile tire. Y

As, the wall of the packing member is thin, and flexible, it might happen that under the relatively high internal pressure its wall might tend to be squeezed into and pinched in Vthe annular cracks at the edges 24 and 26. However, this is 'effectively prevented by the edges 23 and 25 which over-V lap these points. The form of the uXtaposedrecesses 15 and 16 is such that the crescent-shaped sleeve cooperates with it to form a substantially circular cavity or cham'ber for the packing member, a

Such a packing member may be applied as described above and then inflatedand closed,

and it,y will then VeXi-zrtpressure against the side of the periscope.4 I preferl however, to provide permanently attached means for Vmaintaining the pressure in the packing member and for varyingthis internal pressure intermittently; this enables the internal pressure to be increased when the submarine is running at the maximum depth. The capacity for varying vthe pressure is a most advantageous feature of my apparatus because it enables the pressure to be relieved when not necessary, and this vreduces the chance v,of pinching and thereby .rupturing `the inflatable packing member. For this purpose I prefer to provide means for invdating the packing member through the wall of the casing, preferably by providingV a port 27 in the .lower member 11 throughwhichV an inflating nipple 28 passes out-1 into the cuter end ofthe duct 28'. IntheV Vlower end ofthe duct 29 a small pipe 33 is screwed, which leads upwardly from a three-way cock 34 connected to a. pipe line 35 leading from a reservoir, or preferably from a small fluid pump or air compressor 36.

In the pipe line 35 a pressure gage 37 is Y attached for indicating the pressure existing in the pipe line and within the packing member 20.

The tliree-way cock 34 may. be of any suitable construction and provided with an operating handle or lever V38. In one position of the handle 38 the pipe line 35 communicates with the pipe 33 to permit the fluid medium under pressure to pass up to the packing member.V Or the handle may be moved from this position so as to cut off the lowfof the pressure-mediumand permit comiiiuiiication between the pipe 33 and an out'- let port 39 Vof the three-way cock. VHence this organization of parts enables theA pressure within the'packing member to be regulated.

In practice,` if desired anywell known automatic regulating means v,may be employed, controlled by a hydrostaticA pressure device, for 'controlling'l the compressor or pump 36 automatically, to' increase the .pres-Y sure in the packing member when the submarine dives t0 a greater depth than Vthat at which it isrunning. However, by way of illustration, I have Vindicated diagrammati-` cally, simple apparatus. for thispu'rpose,

f consisting of an electric motor 4() having an operating circuit 41including` a source'of Ef M. F; such as astorage `battery 42,'th`e said circuit being controlled intermittently at will by aA switch 43.`

Vhen the switchV 43 willactuate the pump or compressor 36 and force the fluid medium into the' packing member.

On account ofthe nature, of the surface of soft rubber such 'as I intend to employr forthe wall of thelpacking member 20,'it is evident that under pressure this Vmaterial will develop a relatively high fi'ictioiial resist,-

ance to movement, and hence it will be heldl in place in the packing chamber. Furthermore, the sleeve is preferablyof soft Vrubber but its outer concave face 44 should be of a nature which will 4enable ,it Vto coperate with the inner sidefaceV of the 'packing member so as to develop a high frictional resistance. AThis: overcomes any tendency AVof the sleeve to swivel or turn inthe' packing mem- 22 is constructed or is 4ofsucli anature :that

develop a relatively low frictional resistance is closed,` the motor .ico

lio y ber. On the otherhand, theV convex surface A y at its points of contact with the periscope f guide, thereby insuring that the .periscope .i

guide will swivel or' turn freely in the sleeve without tendingv to turn Vthe sleeve in the packing member. Y This effect is preferably incieased by lubricating the surface 22 `with any suitable lubricant such as graphite. In other words, the natural effect of the surfaces" of contact between the sleeve2l and the packing member is to prevent the'rotation of the sleeve, whereas the surface 22 is constructed or prepared to facilitate slipping ofl the periscope guide within .the sleeve. the other parts toV insure that the packing member 20 will be held substantially iixed in the packing chamber under the action of the internal pressure, though this pressure firmly presses the sleeve against the side of the periscope guide and seals it, preventing the `entrance of any sea water.

It is understood that the embodiment of the inventionl described herein is'only one of the many embodiments my invention may take,and I do not wish to be limited in the practice of my invention nor in myelaims, to the particular embodiment set forth.

What I claim is 1,- In apparatus for packingthe periscope guide of a submarine, the combination of a casing consisting of two members surroundingthe periscope guide, said members having juxtaposed annular recesses forming a packing chamber 'around the periscope guide, an inflatable annular packing member received in said packing chamber, means for inflating said packing member with a Vfluid under pressure, to press the inner side of the packing member toward the periscope guide, a pressure gage for indicating the pressureV of the fluid in the packing member, and means connected to said packing member capable of operating intermittently, for actuating said ini'lating means to vary the pressure in the packing member to correspond with the depth of the submarine below the surface.

2. In apparatus for packing a periscope guide, the combination of a casing having an opening through which the guide passes, and having an annular recess communieating with said opening to form a packing chamber around the periscope guide, an iniiatable annular packing member received in said packing chamber, means connected to said packing member for infiating said packing member with a iiuid under pressure, said packing member having means on the side thereof for preventing said inflatable member from directly engaging Vthe periscope guide, said means engaging with the periscope guide and operating to develop a relatively low frictional resistance, whereby the periscope guide may f swivel freely within saci'd packing inember, the iiuid pressure operating to maintain said packing member in a substantially fixed position within said packing chamber.

3. In apparatus for packing a periscope Hence the `sleeve coperates withguide, the combination oi a casing having an opening through which'the guide passes, and having an annular recess communicating with saidopening to form a packing chamber around the periscopeV guide, an 1n` Iiatable annular packing member received in said packing chamber, said casing` having a port, means connected to said port for inlating said packing member'with a rluid under pressure, and having a connection leading through said port to the in-` fixed positioniwithin 14. In apparatus for packinga movable cylindrical part,'tlie combination of va cas-VV taposed annular recesses forming a packing chamber around the cylindrical part, an inflatable annular packing member received in said packing chamber, intlating means for infiating said packino` member with a fluid under pressure, anc a sleeve .of flexible material covering the inner face of said packing member, said sleeve having a contact race engaging the face-otV the movable member of a nature to coperate with the movable member to develop a relatively low frictional-resistance, said packing meinber having a contact face engaging the outer face of said sleeve oi a nature to coperate therewith to develop a relatively high frictional resistance, to hold said sleeve in ing member.

5. In apparatus for packing the periscope guide of a submarine, the combination of a casing consisting of two members surrounding the periscope guide, said members having juxtaposed annular recesses forming a .packing chamber around the periscope guide, an inflatable annular packing member received in said packing chamber, means for inflating said packing member with a fluid under pressure to press the inner side of the packing member toward the periscope guide, and an annular sleeve disposed between the inner side of the packing member and the side of the periscope guide, said sleeve covering the face of the wall of said chamber adjacent the periscope guide on the upper side to seal the same.

6. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a rotatable periscope `guide having an annular groove on the ing consisting of two members having juxa iixed relation with respect to said packouter face thereof, an upper member and a lower member surrounding the periscope guide and having juxtaposed annular re- `cesses forming a packing chamber oppo-Y site said groove, an inflatable annular pack-k ing member received in said packing chamber,means for iniating said packing member with a fluid under pressure to press the inner side of the packing member toward the periscope guide, and an annular sleeve disposed between the inner side of said packing member and the face of' said groove and having its upper edge extendingqinto the packing chamber and lying against the upper face thereof adjacentto saidrgroove. Y

7. In apparatus of the 'class described, the combination of a rotatable .Vperiscope guide having an annular curved groove on the outerface thereof, an upper bearing member .and av lower member surrounding the periscope guide,said members having juxtaposed annular recesses forming' a packing chamber, with the wall of said packing chamber havingan inclined face adjacentJ the periscope guide, an inflatable annular packing member received 1n said packing chamber to press-the inner side of the packing member toward the periscope guide, and an annular sleeve` disposedY between Vthe inner side of the packing member, and the side of thev periscope-guide, said sleeve being of substantially crescent shape in cross-section, and having its i11-A ner and convex face disposed in said curvedv groove .with the upper edge of said sleeve projecting over and lying against the said inclined face of'said packing chamber adjacent to said groove to seal offfthesaid bearing member. Y Y l 8.7111 apparatus for lpacking a rotatable cylindrical part, vthe combinatlonof a casing consisting of two members having jux taposed annular recesses lforming a packing chamber of substantially circular crosssection around the cylindrical part, and an inflatable tubular packing member received in said packing chamberand exerting pressure against the face of the cylindrical part. Y.

In testimonyrwhereof, IV have hereunto set my hand. f

voTAw is. runnin Copies ofvtlxis patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the: Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

